Montana Sex Offenders

Montana’s version of Megan’s law
protects the residents of the state from the menace of sex offenders.
The law ensures that sex offenders in the state register with the
state’s Department of Justice. Montana’s sex offender’s law
classifies sex offenders into 3 tiers;

Tier 1 offenders (Low-risk
offenders)

Tier 2 offenders (Moderate-
risk offenders)

Tier 3 offenders (high-risk
offenders)

This classification depends on the
nature of the sex crime by the offender. The duration of registration
also depends on the class of the offender:

Tier 1 offenders register for
10 years

Tier 2 offenders register for
25 years

Tier 3 offenders register for a
lifetime

Sex offenders in Montana must
register with the state’s Justice Department within 10 days of
release from a correction facility. Sex offenders on probation or
parole must register within 3 days after sentencing by the
department.

Persons convicted for sex crimes in
another state but who wishes to attend school, work, or move to
Montana must register within 3 days of entering the state.
Verification of address depends on the classification of the
offender:

12 months for Tier 1 Sex
offenders

Every 180
days for Tier 2 sex offenders

Every 90 days for Tier 3 sex
offenders

Montana Sex Offender Registry

The Montana Sex Offender Registry
manages the information on sex offenders in the state. The registry
works under the state’s department of justice. Information on sex
offenders in Montana is available to residents through the registry’s
website.

Any attempt, solicitation, or
conspiracy to commit one of the offences listed above.

Any violation of a law of
another state or the federal government that is reasonably
equivalent to a violation listed above or for which the offender was
required to register as a sex offender after conviction.

Any attempt, solicitation, or
conspiracy to commit one of the offenses listed above.

Any violation of a law of
another state or the federal government reasonably equivalent to a
violent offense listed above.

Montana's registration law is
for both sex offenders and violent offenders.

Information maintained in Montana Sex Offender Registry

M.C.A. § 46-23-503 (WEST 2008)

(1) A sexual or violent offender who
is released from the custody of the department of corrections must be
informed in writing not less than 10 days before the release of the
duty to register under this part by the official in charge of the
place of confinement.

(2) Before the offender's release
from custody, the official shall obtain and give to the department of
justice and to the sheriff of the county in which the offender
intends to reside or, if the offender intends to reside in a
municipality, to the chief of police of the municipality:

The address at which the
offender intends to reside upon release from the department's
custody;

The offender's fingerprints and
photo, unless they are already in possession of the department of
justice, sheriff, or chief of police; and

A form signed by and read to or
by the offender stating that the offender's duty to register under
this part has been explained to the offender.

Community Notification and Websites

M.C.A. § 46-23-508 (WEST 2008)

(b) A law enforcement agency shall
release any offender registration information relevant to the public
if the agency determines that a registered offender is a risk to the
safety of the community and that disclosure of the registration
information may protect the public and, at a minimum:

If an offender was given a
level 1 designation the agency with which the offender is registered
shall notify the agency in whose jurisdiction the offense occurred
during the registration;

If an offender was given a
level 2 designations, the agency with which the offender is
registered may disseminate the offender's name to the public with
the notation that the offender is a sexual or violent offender and
may notify a victim of the offense and any agency, organization, or
group serving persons who have characteristics similar to those of a
previous victim

If an offender was given a
level 3 designation, the agency should give the victim and the
public notification.

The agency shall also include
the date of the offender's release from confinement, or if not
confined, the date the offender was sentenced, with a notation that
the offender was not confined, and shall include the community in
which the offense occurred.

(3) A state or local law enforcement
agency may use the internet to disseminate the information allowed by
this section to the public.

Limitations
on Residency or Employment

M.C.A. § 46-18-255 (WEST 2008)

(1) The sentencing judge may impose
reasonable employment restrictions upon sexual or violent offenders
to protect persons likely to be victims of further offenses by the
offender.

(2) Persons convicted of sexual
offenses involving a minor who has been designated as a level 3
offender are restricted from living in the proximity of a preschool,
elementary or high school, licensed day-care center, church or park
maintained by a city, town, or county.

Duration
of Registration

M.C.A. § 46-23-506 (WEST 2008)

(2)(a) 10 years for violent
offenders.

(2)(b) Life for:

Sexual offenders

Violent offenders that have
been convicted of failing to keep registration current during the
10-year registration period.

Timeframe
for Registration

Within 14 days of conviction,
release from prison or supervision, coming into a county; 10 days of
changing the address

Does a Sex Offender Live Near Your Family?

Find Out Now.

Encouraging Children to Share

It isn't always easy to build a trusting relationship with your child. Trying to get your children to share what is going on in their lives can be difficult.

Building an open and welcoming environment from the beginning stages of a child's life is essential. Children are less intimidated and more likely to discuss issues and topics in their lives with an open and supportive environment.

Getting your kids to share serves as a building block for times when your child needs to discuss pressing issues like sex and sexual abuse.

Free Parental eBook

KidsLiveSafe put together a comprehensive parents guide about sexual predators and keeping children safe. This free online eBook includes vital statistics, how to tell if a predator is victimizing a child, and social media and cyber-bullying.